Pope given first volume of Synod history

Vatican City, Oct 18, 2005 / 12:00 am (CNA).- Today, at the closing of the morning session of the 19th General Congregation of the Synod of Bishops, meeting in Rome, the Holy Father was presented with the massive 2,800-page Enchiridion of the Synod of Bishops, containing all of the Synod documents from 1965 until 1988.

His Excellency Most Reverend Msg. Nikola Eterovic, Secretary General of the Synod, presented Pope Benedict with the white-bound, first volume of the Synodal history, which marks the 40th anniversary of its institution.

The collection, written in Latin and Italian, will be of great interest not only to the Episcopal college, but to historians, researchers and theologians seeking to understand the life and mission of the Church after the Vatican Council II.

As a sign of his own gratitude and encouragement, the Pope is slated to give a copy of the volume to all the participants in the 11th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod meeting currently.

Sources say that he wishes it to be reflective of communion in the Church centered on the Mystery of the Eucharist.